Unisa subsidiary Inhlanyelo Hub NPC reached a major milestone in its journey to foster creativity and entrepreneurship with the launch of the second cohort of the Bosadi Artisan Creative Media Business Start-up Programme. The launch took place on Friday 17 October 2025, at the Inhlanyelo Hub Lecture Hall in Building 5 of the Unisa Sunnyside Campus. The event was attended by delegates from Unisa, partners, facilitators and a new cohort of excited young women eager to turn their creative skills into successful businesses.

Prof Annemarie Davis, programme director and the project leader for the UCDP-funded project to develop entrepreneurship and new venture creation amongst Unisa students, opened the event, setting an optimistic tone for the latest cohort of creative media participants. Davis spoke about Inhlanyelo Hub's goal of equipping students and graduates with practical skills that will help them transition from academic learning to starting their own businesses.

She said the programme's goals are "to create possibilities, break barriers, and give women the tools they need to make a real difference in the creative economy". Davis also pointed out the growing opportunities in the creative industries, made possible by the advent of digital media and new storytelling platforms.

Prof Zethu Nkosi, representing the Inhlanyelo Hub Board and serving as the Executive Dean of the College of Human Sciences, offered her heartfelt congratulations to the Inhlanyelo Hub team for accommodating a second cohort of the programme in response to high demand. She confirmed the value of their work and said that their efforts are like "sowing seeds of opportunity, innovation and resilience". 

Nkosi commended Inhlanyelo Hub for its work to empower women and young people, adding, "It is nurturing future leaders and entrepreneurs who will build businesses that change communities and bring about long-term growth." Prof Nkosi further encouraged the participants to be ambassadors for the programme, stating, "These are seeds that will grow into vibrant and successful businesses in the future".

Inhlanyelo Hub CEO, Prof Raphael Mpofu, reminded the new cohort that success starts with being curious, becoming involved, and being brave. He stated that this group of women needs to embrace technology, new ideas and creative thinking that puts people first in a media landscape that is constantly changing.

Mpofu encouraged the new cohort to ask questions. "This is how you will learn," he said. "Don't only work on getting better at one thing; try new things, make new things, and be creative. The future of the creative media field lies with people who not only have mastery of their skills but also insight into people."

Christina Rhodes from Oakfields College, who offers the technical training for the course, presented a positive overview of what attendees can expect from the programme. She described the Creative Media Programme as an exciting journey into one of the world’s leading industries, combining digital storytelling, design, video production and social media strategy development.

The creative media field, Rhodes pointed out, "is not only about the software or editing but is about changing the way people see the world". She urged participants to embrace imperfection and risk-taking and to partner with others, adding, "Creativity springs from mistakes. Do not be afraid and go out and make genius out of challenges."

Inhlanyelo Hub NPC executives and stakeholders cutting a cake to demonstrate unity and shared goals

The highlight of the event was guest speaker Leroy Gopal's motivating message, in which he shared his experiences in the creative industry.

Thembeka Ntuli Mpapama, a participant in the first cohort of the Creative Media Programme, delivered a passionate reflection of what she learned in the first few weeks of the course. She said that a sense of adventure began with an ideation workshop that challenged participants to think about how their business ideas would function and how their creativity could support them in real life.

"What I experienced was far beyond the event of a workshop, but it felt to me that the seed of entrepreneurship had been planted in me," she said. Mpapama highlighted that this programme is not just an opportunity to learn new skills; it's also a way to develop community and confidence. "This programme," she continued, "has taught me repeatedly that learning is an ongoing process, that with every dawn the learning grows, and the creativity flourishes where learnt awareness and knowledge of one another exists."

The event concluded with the symbolic cutting of a cake, demonstrating the unity and shared goals of Inhlanyelo Hub, Oakfields College, and all the other partners in the programme's journey.

For more information on Inhlanyelo Hub and its programmes, visit https://inhlanyelohub.com/en/

* Submitted by Inhlanyelo Hub NPC